8 riders with celebrity parents (you may be surprised…)

Twenty-three-year-old Jessica Springsteen (pictured above, right), daughter of rock legend ‘The Boss’ Bruce, is one of America’s top 10 showjumpers, but she’s not the only celebrity offspring making waves in the equestrian world…

1. Jennifer Gates

If your dad’s the richest man in America, you can probably afford to buy a few decent horses – and 19-year old Jennifer’s dad is none other than Bill Gates, the Microsoft squillionaire himself. The oldest of the three Gates children, Jennifer is a talented rider, making a name for herself on the US showjumping circuit. Her proud father regularly watches her compete, and last year bought a huge estate with top-notch equestrian facilities in Wellington, Florida. Can he be our dad too?

2. Gemma Owen

Yet another famous footballer’s offspring, 12-year old Gemma’s dad is footballer Michael Owen. Together with his horse-mad wife Louise, Michael owns and breeds racehorses at their home in Cheshire. Gemma has represented Wales in under-12 dressage, and is the proud owner of Der Kleine Lord, a top international dressage pony who won team silver and individual bronze for Great Britain. Lucky girl.

3. Hannah Selleck

Famous for his moustache and appearance in Friends as Monica’s boyfriend Richard, Tom Selleck has a 25-year old daughter, Hannah, who is following in his footsteps. Tom became so attached to the steed he rode in a Western film that he bought it, and the riding bug has passed to Hannah, who is a Grand Prix showjumper. She hopes to become world-class with her mare Barla. Good luck to them!

4. Bella Lloyd Webber

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the richest men in Britain, and he and his third wife Madeleine are keen equestrians, owning a very successful racehorse stud farm, Watership Down in Ireland. Their 19-year old daughter Isabella Aurora (known as Bella) is an eventer, competing at Hambleden International Horse Trials in April, and in the under-24s category at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland in May, on her horse Jazzin Along.

5. Darby Ward

Daughter of former Manchester City footballer Ashley Ward and wife Dawn Ward, who featured in reality TV show Real Housewives of Cheshire, 20-year old Darby has been competing in showjumping since childhood. In 2012, she helped clinch a British win in the CSIOP Grand Prix in Moorsele with a double clear. She is also a member of a girl band called Alula!

6. Lila Bremner

Comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner’s young daughters Ava and Lila are both pony-mad. Lila is a rising star in the Pony Club, winning the Area 9 Dengie Winter League SJ (90cm) back in March. One to watch.

7. Chelsea Pearce

Stuart Pearce was a former England footballer, and managed Nottingham Forest FC until recently. His daughter Chelsea has been riding since she was two, affiliated at 10, represented Britain at the Pony European Championships in 2013 and 2014, and now, aged just 16, successfully events her horses Little Indian Feather and Djakota EB. Her goal is to become a 4* eventer and successful producer – and we reckon she’ll do it.

8. Noah Cyrus

Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray’s daughter, has achieved world domination in the singing, writhing about and sticking out her tongue stakes, and now little sister Noah wants to do the same with equestrianism. The 15-year old competes her horse Comet in showjumping and says her aim is to represent her country in the Olympics one day. Then maybe release a record. Uh-oh.